To redress how the Commonwealth handles driver’s licenses, lawmakers in Massachusetts are advancing legislation designed to stop the practice of suspending or refusing to renew driver’s licenses because a motorist owes money to the state for non-safety related debts.
The move would affect hundreds of thousands of drivers who currently face the loss of their ability to legally drive over unpaid tolls, parking tickets, or fines that have nothing to do with unsafe driving.
Under current Massachusetts law, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has broad authority to place a driver’s license or vehicle registration into nonrenewal status if a person has outstanding debts for things such as E-ZPass tolls, parking fines, or motor vehicle excise taxes.
Image Credit: MA DMV – Public Domain, Wikimedia.
Once that nonrenewal order is in place, the motorist cannot renew their license until the full debt is paid.
In many cases, that debt can stretch into the thousands of dollars and be attached to citations or fees that the driver was unaware of until attempting to renew a license.
Advocates say this practice can trap drivers in a cycle of debt and legal restriction, because without a valid license it becomes harder to get to work or earn money to settle the outstanding balance.
A Legislative Push to “End Debt-Based Driving Restrictions”
To address what supporters call an outdated and unfair policy, Massachusetts Senator Julian Cyr has introduced legislation titled An Act to Increase Opportunity by Ending Debt-Based Driving Restrictions.
This bill would limit the state’s authority to suspend or refuse license renewal solely because of non-public safety debts such as unpaid tolls, parking tickets, and certain court fees.
The proposal has advanced favorably in key legislative committees and is part of the broader 2026 state budget discussions.
A parallel push from Governor Maura Healey’s office includes policy provisions in the state’s budget proposal that would end the RMV’s current practice of placing licenses and registrations into nonrenewal for unpaid parking tickets, E-ZPass bills, and similar debts.
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The governor’s plan would not affect the state’s ability to suspend licenses for unsafe driving behavior such as reckless driving or driving under the influence.
The scale of the issue in Massachusetts has been dramatic. Between 2020 and 2024, the RMV placed driver’s licenses into nonrenewal nearly three million times for unpaid tolls or other unrelated debts, averaging hundreds of thousands of orders per year.
Critics say the policy disproportionately affects lower-income drivers who may miss a small fine but face a crippling barrier to work and daily life as a result.
Reform Focuses on Fairness, Notification, and Payment Plans
The reform’s supporters argue that taking away a person’s driving privileges for reasons unrelated to public safety does little to encourage repayment but instead deepens financial distress.
A recent state poll found that a wide majority of Massachusetts voters support ending debt-based restrictions, with more than three in four respondents backing initiatives to allow payment plans, waivers for financial hardship, or better notification systems before penalties are applied.
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The proposed legislation would also require the state to modernize how it communicates with drivers about outstanding debts. Existing law does not mandate consistent electronic notification, meaning drivers often remain unaware of the status of old fines or fees until they attempt to renew their license.
Under the newly proposed language, the RMV and related agencies would use email, text messaging, and other modern tools to alert motorists to debts and give them a chance to address issues before facing punitive actions. It would also explicitly allow for reduced payments, waivers, or payment plans based on financial circumstances.
Following a National Trend
Massachusetts is not alone in rethinking these policies. States like California, Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, and Michigan have already moved to eliminate or limit debt-based suspensions, following research showing that such practices do not significantly improve collections but do hinder employment and economic activity.
The reform does have critics, who sometimes voice concern that eliminating debt-based suspensions could reduce the incentive for motorists to pay fines. However, proponents point out that the goal is not to let debts go unpaid but to align penalties with public safety priorities and avoid undermining a driver’s ability to earn a living.
They argue that fair and transparent systems for notification and flexible payment options will result in better compliance without stripping someone of essential transportation rights.
What remains uncertain is how quickly the reforms would take effect and what mechanisms the state will use to ensure that outstanding debt remains manageable without punitive consequences that leave drivers grounded.
Sources: WCVB 5, ACLU Massachusetts
